Presenter Information

Lisa SmithFollow

Document Type

Poster Session

Department

Leadership and Organizational Studies

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Elizabeth Goryunova

Keywords

presidential assistants, presidents, chancellors, followership, servant leaders, higher education institutions

Abstract

The term courageous followership was introduced over fifteen years ago by author Ira Chaleff in his book The Courageous Follower: Standing up to and for our leaders (2009). While the concept of courageous followership is relatively new in leadership theory models, the idea has shifted from the all-powerful leader and submissive follower model to a more dynamic model that supports and balances leadership today (Chaleff, 2009). Whether an institution has a more hierarchical or a shared leadership model, some power exists in the leaders and some in the followers (Chaleff, 2009). To this end, a professional relationship between an assistant and leader exists in every work environment throughout the globe. Recently, a unique and positive change has been happening in the higher education environment between presidential assistants (PAs) and the leaders that they serve. In this quantitative study, the researcher examined the professional relationship between PAs and their presidents or chancellors. The results from an anonymous Google survey demonstrated how these professional relationships promote change and growth at higher education institutions. The data also revealed that when PAs are allowed to exhibit courageous followership qualities, it results in even more empowerment for the leaders they serve. This empowerment comes through accepting responsibility for both the PA’s roles and their leader’s roles regarding power and how to use it and being wary of it. In addition, a PA values their leaders and their contributions to their respective higher education institutions (Chaleff, 2009). The outcome is a positive shift in the environment of their respective higher education institutions. This new environment promotes creative learning and work that is more inclusive, productive, supportive, and yields a more resilient institution.

Share

COinS
 

Courageous Followership and Leadership in Higher Education: The Professional Relationship Between Presidential Assistants and Their Leaders

The term courageous followership was introduced over fifteen years ago by author Ira Chaleff in his book The Courageous Follower: Standing up to and for our leaders (2009). While the concept of courageous followership is relatively new in leadership theory models, the idea has shifted from the all-powerful leader and submissive follower model to a more dynamic model that supports and balances leadership today (Chaleff, 2009). Whether an institution has a more hierarchical or a shared leadership model, some power exists in the leaders and some in the followers (Chaleff, 2009). To this end, a professional relationship between an assistant and leader exists in every work environment throughout the globe. Recently, a unique and positive change has been happening in the higher education environment between presidential assistants (PAs) and the leaders that they serve. In this quantitative study, the researcher examined the professional relationship between PAs and their presidents or chancellors. The results from an anonymous Google survey demonstrated how these professional relationships promote change and growth at higher education institutions. The data also revealed that when PAs are allowed to exhibit courageous followership qualities, it results in even more empowerment for the leaders they serve. This empowerment comes through accepting responsibility for both the PA’s roles and their leader’s roles regarding power and how to use it and being wary of it. In addition, a PA values their leaders and their contributions to their respective higher education institutions (Chaleff, 2009). The outcome is a positive shift in the environment of their respective higher education institutions. This new environment promotes creative learning and work that is more inclusive, productive, supportive, and yields a more resilient institution.

 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.

 
blog comments powered by Disqus